The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories, with eBook Audiobook

" In this slim collection of stories, we might learn that: (1) the only certain happiness in life is to live for others; (2) Ivan Ilych's life had been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible; (3) foolishness comes from education; and (4) woman is an instrument of enjoyment - among many other things. Of the 4 stories, I found Master and Man to be the 'weakest,' but that's only because I found Tolstoy's genius so radiant in the other stories (Family Happiness, The Death of Ivan Ilych, The Kreutzer Sonata). These stories had a strange effect on me - even where I disagreed with Tolstoy completely, his genius delivered me to great things. "

" Tolstoy wrote with deep psychological insight, detailed description, and wit. My favorite of these three shorts was, I think, The Cossacks. The ending was abrupt and twisted my gut. It was realistic, but he made it hurt. "

" the death of ivan ilych is breathtakingly good, happy ever after is very good and the cossacks a step down "

" Stretching myself to read works of great writers I've never read before. Tolstoy is great for sure. The three works in this volume include Master and Man and The Kreutzer Sonata as well as the Death of Ivan Illych. Dark stuff, but a glimmer of hope for the afterlife too. Will I read more Tolstoy soon? Probably not. Looking forward to getting home where I have a stack of American writers waiting for me. "

" Tolstoy was obsessed with the subject of death. This is an interesting, quick read about the reality of one's own death, and how others around the dying person handle it. Makes me appreciate the eternal perspective. "

" My favorites among these were "Prisoner of the Caucasus," "Master and Man" and "Alyosha the Pot." Tolstoy has an almost magical understanding on the processes of consciousness leading up to death. I found several of the stories profoundly depressing for their portrayal, of marital dynamics ("The Kreutzer Sonata," "The Death of Ivan Ilych"). Perhaps that is why it took me so long to finish the book! "

" A most morbid tale, but for Tolstoy, a pretty quick read. "

" Fantastic, highly recommended novella at the heart of an excellent collection of Tolstoy's shorter work. Great translation, too. "

" Again, I love dark Russians. "

" late tolstoy is obsessed with sex, death and the question of the good life. the latter i found the best: that is, the death of ivan ilyich, master and man, the forged coupon. hadji murat is just a great story. translation is crunchy at times, but modern. "

" alright, i moved on to another book before beginning master and man, but the other stories were superb! "

" Short read but very intense. What in life is important and can you find it before it's too late? Very well written. "

" "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" was great; "The Kreutzer Sonata" unnerving and crazy; "Hadji Murat" sort of like War and Peace in miniature. I also read a couple of lovely shorter pieces from this volume: "Alyosha the Pot" and "After the Ball." I'll come back to other stories in this book later. "

" As much as I love Anna Karenina & War & Peace, I found these short stories disappointing. Having said that, The Prisoner Of Caucasus,The Forged Coupon & Hadji Murat were insightful and entertaining. "

" Only read the Death of Ivan Ilyich out of this collection so far but bloody hell. It's good isn't it. If not unremittingly bleak. "

" If you like Tolstoy these short stories are worth reading, most are pretty intense. "

" Excellent one from Leo Tolstoi! He can make a simple life of a simple man become something we can learn from. Whatever we try to achieve every day, and no matter how hard we make the efforts to reach them, things must come to an end. Someday, all you need is just those who love us back. Simple. "

" quite a panoply of artistic talent. "

" I loved Happily Ever After and The Death of Ivan Ilyich, but after two short, intimate pieces The Cossacks kind of dragged and didn't really have the same impact. Was still very impressed with the first two stories though. "

" This was is probably the most influential narrative I've ever read, shaping in me a desire to understand my finitude and grapple with such issue as temporality, meaning and the urge to survive in the face of hopelessness. If you haven't read it.... get it at once and read it. Twice. "

" One can never go wrong with Tolstoy. "

" My favorite book! Read so often in the last ten years the spine is duct-taped. I've never found a more complete compilation of Tolstoy's "folk tales" to replace it with. It was the best $3 I have ever spent! "